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The Fourth Lesson: Mental Control.545
independent of the body; deathless; invulnerable; immortal; real. Then
think of it as independent of the body, and able to exist without its fleshly
covering. Meditate upon this for a time, and then gradually direct the
thought to the realization of the “I” as independent and superior to the mind,
and controlling same. Go over the general ideas of the first two lessons, and
endeavor to calmly reflect upon them and to see them in the “mind’s eye.”
You will find that your mind is gradually becoming more and more peaceful
and calm, and that the distracting thoughts of the outside world are farther
and farther removed from you.
(c) Then let the mind pass on to a calm consideration of the Third Lesson,
in which we have spoken of the Oneness of All, and the relationship of
the “I” to the One Life; Power; Intelligence; Being. You will find that you
are acquiring a mental control and calm heretofore unknown to you. The
exercises in the first three lessons will have prepared you for this.
(d) The following is the most difficult of the variations or degrees of this
exercise, but the ability to perform it will come gradually. The exercise consists
in gradually shutting out all thought or impression of the outside world; of
the body; and of the thoughts themselves, the student concentrating and
meditating upon the word and idea “I am,” the idea being that he shall
concentrate upon the idea of mere “being” or “existence,” symbolized by
the words “I Am.” Not “I am this,” or “I am that,” or “I do this,” or “I think that,”
but simply: “I am.” This exercise will focus the attention at the very centre
of Being within oneself, and will gather in all the mental energies, instead
of allowing them to be scattered upon outside things. A feeling of Peace,
Strength, and Power will result, for the affirmation, and the thought back of
it, is the most powerful and strongest that one may make, for it is a statement
of Actual Being, and a turning of the thought inward to that truth. Let the
mind first dwell upon the word “I,” identifying it with the Self, and then let it
pass on to the word “am,” which signifies Reality, and Being. Then combine
the two with the meanings thereof, and the result is a most powerful focusing
of thought inward, and a most potent Statement of Being.